Much ado about nothing

Dear Editor, I am very opposed to all the ‘flaking’ that GECOM and the supporting staff members have been taking. The many repeated aggressive outbursts from bitter and unreasonable elements were, and still are, most unjustified. First, PPP/C, APNU, AFC and TUF all knew the outcome of 2011 general and regional elections as early as Tuesday, November 29. In local parlance, one refers to this as ‘just after midnight.’ So all this raucous should never have been in the first place. Also, a lot of enlightenment is most necessary. As…

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Gender-based violence carries high price – U.S. envoy

United States Ambassador to Guyana D Brent Hardt said that gender-based violence is an intolerable violation of human dignity, as no one can quantify the personal pain and anguish of any form of abuse. However, Hardt said medical bills and legal costs; lost wages and lower productivity; health costs, including an increased risk of HIV – these are things on which we can put a price. “And when we do, we see – in dollars and cents – how much violence against women and girls truly costs everyone in a…

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The Cabinet

In the selection of his Cabinet on December 5, President Donald Ramotar has clearly opted for continuity: there were only a few new faces and most of these had served in other capacities in the previous administration. While, as we have pointed out before, President Ramotar has tremendous political experience and knowledge, this will be his first stint in the national Executive. He is to be complimented for going with experience over experimentation. As the president noted in his brief remarks following the swearing-in ceremony, the new ministers will discover…

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GDF, China sign Gy$157M accord

Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best and Chinese Ambassador Yu Wenzhe on Wednesday signed a military aid agreement valued five million Yuan (Gy$ 157,032,600). According to a GDF release, the aid reflects similar assistance provided over the years, geared at enhancing the GDF’s defence capabilities. At the simple ceremony, Commodore Best highlighted the good relations which the Guyana Defence Force and the People’s Liberation Army of China have enjoyed. He said the force continues to be grateful for the assistance it has received and pledged commitment to the bilateral arrangements the two…

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AFC urges govt/opposition collaboration in fighting poverty

The Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling for the establishment of a tripartite partnership to fight poverty in Guyana. At the party’s weekly press briefing on Wednesday, its chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan said there is a need for such a partnership to make the country’s economic, political and social transformation evident. “Development for Guyana means economic, political and social transformation in the shortest period of time. This transformation implies not only rapid economic growth, but also political and economic freedoms, eradication of poverty, sustainable and eco-friendly use of natural resources, access…

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Minister Ali fights back- says Ramjattan has no credibility to speak about corruption

By Michael Younge  Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali said that former MP and AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan has no creditability to lecture anyone in the society on issues of corruption, transparency, or accountability. Ali said that Ramjattan needs to cease seeking to score cheap political points by misinforming the public about parliamentary issues and matters which are of vital importance to the public’s welfare. Ali was at the time responding to continued attacks on his character and integrity by the AFC executive member through what he referred to as…

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Govt open to continue working with Canadian investors – Minister Persaud

Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud on Tuesday morning joined Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine at the Canadian High Commission in a video conference with Canadian investors. The investors gathered in Fairmont Royal York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada and included Azimuth Resources Limited, CGX Energy Inc, Columbus Gold Corporation, Guyana Goldfields Inc, Reunion Gold Corporation and Sandspring Resources Ltd. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) release, Minister Persaud assured investors that things are settled and the necessary preparations for continued investments are in place, in spite…

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Granger calls for tripartite budget committee

Leader of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) David Granger on Monday called for the establishment of a tripartite budget committee. He believes that such a body should be set up as soon as possible to oversee preparation of the national budget and future budgets. According to Granger, such a committee will collaborate with the Bank of Guyana, the Bureau of Statistics and other departments in presenting an accurate and detailed picture of the economy; identifying all sources of funds and examining potential sources of new funds; It will…

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Kashif and Shanghai football tournament kicks off this weekend in Guyana

BY AVENASH RAMZAN Twenty (20) teams will throw down the gauntlet from Saturday when action in the 22nd Kashif and Shanghai Football Tournament gets into gear at the world famous Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground, Bourda.  A double-header will get the tournament underway with Mill Ballers of Bartica taking on Kuru Kururu Warriors at 17:30h and city side Pele clashing with Timehri Panthers. In the break between games, the organisers will host the official opening ceremony, which is expected to be colourful with the march past of the participating teams.…

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Sital victorious for third consecutive year

– Alika Morgan wins overall 10k BY MELINDA BISHUNDYAL Eighteen-year-old Chavez Sital copped his third consecutive win in the half-marathon (13.4 miles) of the Run Barbados Series which was held on December 3 and 4 in Barbados. Sital started his international career in 2009 and has been unstoppable since. Apart from winning the half marathon in three successive years, Sital was also a force to be reckoned with in the 10K, which he won in 2009, placing fourth and second in 2010 and this year respectively. According to Sital, the…

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